Ayoze Perez has refused to rule out a move away from Newcastle, admitting that it is his intention to return to Spain and play in La Liga one day.

He insists that he’s ‘very grateful’ for the chance he’s been given at Newcastle United and doesn’t sound in any rush to leave right now, but these comments may seem like some sort of come and get me plea given serious interest from the likes of Real Betis and Real Sociedad was reported over the summer.

Here’s what the 25-year-old had to say during his in-depth interview with Spanish publication MARCA:

“I am very grateful to Newcastle, but it is obvious that someday I would like to come back and play in La Liga.

“To this day, I do not know (what the future holds).

“I hope something very good. I believe that I have made progress these five years so that a good opportunity presents itself. “

The Mirror suggest that he won’t force a move away from Tyneside, with him insisting in an interview with them recently that he’s still “living the dream” in the Premier League, however these new comments suggest he may not take much convincing if a big bid came in from a big Spanish side.

His work off the ball and a respectable total of 17 goals and 8 assists across the past two seasons have made him one of the first names in Rafa’s team, so losing him would be a major blow for Benitez.

Either way, he’s been a terrific signing at £1.5m and is a player that, despite his critics, continues to come up trumps when we need him at the business end of the season.

The question is, what would he be worth if a La Liga giant came calling over the summer?

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